Today's world is full of many religious beliefs, but let us never cease to forget that there has always  been ONLY ONE WAY!! Jesus Christ!! As an English, Language Arts teacher, I pay close attention to words when I am reading the Bible. When I read John 14:6, I focused on the fact that the article "the" is being used by Jesus himself. This is a Definite Article. Webster's dictionary defines definite in the following way: having distinct or certain limits: free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity: unquestionable, decided.

This definition paints a powerful picture because it leaves NO ROOM for inquiry! Jesus uses strong connotative language here so that we might get the visual of who He is in our minds. He states without a doubt, "I am the way, the truth, and the life! Jesus uses "the" 3 times for emphasis.

Now read the scripture again by focusing on the definition that is included above. Isn't that powerful? God had a plan from the beginning to redeem us to Himself and He gave us free will to come to Him for ourselves. Now that is true love!!! This scripture is only a reminder of what we already know in our hearts! Jesus Christ is not just a man in the Bible and our history books. He is Lord and He is God!! He couldn't redeem us otherwise!!

So as our world around us continues to walk in deception and uncertainties. We as believers in Jesus Christ can stand firm on "the" Truth because there is only One. There is no other God!! Jesus (the Word) became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He gave us access to the Father!! He and the Father are ONE (John 10:30)!!

Call upon Him and He will answer. Seek Him and you shall find Him as you search for Him with all of your heart (Jer. 29:13).

Be Blessed!
#hope-in-Christ

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

The blood of Jesus! This is one of the many phrases that we declare and speak as believers in Jesus Christ, but do we truly understand the power of His blood? In prayer this morning, I begin to feel despair. I had gone through some testing at the doctor's office and the enemy was trying to make me reflect on my mistakes and choices from my youth. You see, I did make some poor choices as a result of my troubled childhood. There were even many trespasses against me. I begin to believe that God was now punishing me for those things that I may not have even understood fully as a youth. At that very moment, the Lord began to remind me of the blood of Jesus! He began to help me understand by giving me these words, "Yes you did that and yes it did happen, but when you came to Christ, He redeemed you! He set your feet on a solid foundation. You are renewed in Him! You are healed, not just physically but mentally. So today the enemy would have to reach back through the blood and that is not possible. What the blood of Jesus has covered is finished! You are free! You are not being punished. You have a testimony! Go minister my truth and be free."

I was then reminded of what the song writer wrote, "The blood that gives me strength, will never lose its power!" We have to trust and obey Him and know that He is Mighty to save! There is no one outside of Him that can heal us! There is no one outside of Him that can set us free! He is the great I Am! Oh, If we would only trust Him!!!  Let's Look at a few of God's promises regarding the blood of Jesus:

• 1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
• Romans 5:9, "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."
• 1 Peter 1:18-19 - "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
• Ephesians 1:7 - "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace"

Today, let us meditate on His truth and know that God has a plan for our lives. As we surrender to Christ, we can stand on the promises of God's Word. His blood cleanses us from all sin. We are justified by His blood. We are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, and His grace covers us!! Let us go in the freedom of Christ Jesus our Lord!! Be blessed by this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FQCWMOmfio

#Hope-In-Christ 


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

As I got up this morning to pray, I felt God leading me to this scripture. I have been rereading Genesis and all of my Daily H.O.P.E.'s have come from there, but God wanted to speak to someone today. There are so many today that are sick in their bodies, heartbroken, or even emotionally scarred. Jesus wants to heal you today. I begin to study every word from Isaiah 53:5 and I was so amazed at what Christ has done for each and every one of us. I came to an understanding that Jesus was correcting what sin had done to our lives. It had separated us from Him. He was righting our wrong. We don't deserve His redemption, yet He did it anyway. What a mighty savior indeed!

Today He wants to give you true peace! Peace from rejection. Peace from failure. Peace from everything that you might encounter in the here and now. He is our healer! No one else has the power to do what He did on the cross. So receive your healing today and walk with the living, eternal savior and Lord of all, Jesus Christ. Be healed in Jesus!

#hope-in-christ

Enjoy this worship song by Hillsong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5qoQmjwv-0

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

Scripture Focus:

Romans 10:9 - that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Cor. 15:47 - The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is from heaven.

Phil 2:9-10 - Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth

As we continue in the affirming truth series of scripture, Jesus is now identified as savior and Lord of all!

In the above scripture references, we find that we must confess and believe in our hearts to be saved. Christ is the only way to be saved from our sins. Therefore, this is another confirmation that Christ is Creator and one with God the Father because no earthly man can save one from sin.

He is the Lord from heaven above according to 1 Corinthians 15:47. His name is above every name according to Philippians 2:9-10.

This devotional causes me to reflect on my own personal experience in coming to the knowledge of truth. From the time I was a young girl, I was not aware of this eternal truth! It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I learned I needed a relationship with Christ and that He is the only way to the Father. I didn't know how to do it or what to even say. I knew in my heart that there had to be more, but I had been raised in religion not relationship.

One day after going through many years of heartbreak and pain. I entered a salon and met the woman that would lead me to this very truth. I went in to be made beautiful on the outside, but God had another plan for my life! He wanted to make me whole! He had been drawing me by His spirit for some time. I had gone through depression and somehow knew that something was missing from my life. God wanted to give me true beauty. Eternal beauty in Christ!

A few minutes after entering, I sat down in the beautician's chair and soon learned that she was an evangelist. I felt very comfortable talking to her and I then begin to open up. She spoke the words that would change my life forever. She stated, "Want God more than you want anything else." I was confused so I asked her to repeat what she had just said, and she did.

As I was headed home, I begin to weep. I begin to talk to God. I told Him that I was sorry for wanting anything more than He. Through supernatural intervention, He led me to the cross of Christ. That day I asked Christ to be my savior and Lord, and I have not looked back. I have been walking with Him for over 10 years now and He is so very faithful!

I am a living witness to this affirming truth! Christ is savior and Lord! In me, He turned a mess into a message. Call upon that name by faith and He will do the same for you. He is that very peace and joy that  we all long for!

Enjoy this worship song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vec_kfgD6Mc

Your turn, leave your answers in the comment section:
H - How do these scriptures help you to know God?
O - What other observations did you notice in these scriptures?
P - Why do you think the words were recorded? Purpose.
E - How do these scriptures encourage you more?

What do you think is the overall message of hope?

Be blessed,
hope-in-christ
 

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

Scripture Focus:
Hebrews 1:1-2 - God (Supreme Divinity), who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,  has in these last days spoken to us by His  Son, whom He has appointed (ordained, set) heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:3 - who being the brightness of His (God's) glory and the express image (exact expression, marked likeness, exact copy, facsimile) of His person, and upholding (bearing, carrying) all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down (to confer a kingdom of one, to settle) at the right hand (place of honor and authority) of the Majesty (greatness, divinity) on high,

Have you have ever tried to understand the triune nature of God? This is something that our finite minds can't completely grasp! However, we can truly say that Christ is because He has made Himself real in the lives of those of us that walk with Him! He is a wonder, a great and mighty God!

This devotional is the second in the series of "The Affirming Truth of Christ."  In the first post, we reviewed how Apostle John identifies Christ as the Word (Logos). The scripture focus today comes from the book of Hebrews. It describes Christ as the express image of His (God's) person. One of the words used in Strong's is facsimile. When I first saw this term, I automatically thought about a fax machine. I then looked it up on dictionary.com and it stated, "An exact copy." You see when an individual sends a fax it is the image of the original. Therefore, it further confirms Christ and God as one. What a great mystery to me! This is so amazing to read! When someone questions the deity of Christ, we can take them to this particular scripture. It also identifies His power! No one has the power to purge sins except He be God! Can you? Can I? We know that the answer to both questions is no!

In addition, the above text continues to reveal that God communicates with us. Therefore, we can confidently tell those that don't believe to ask Him to reveal Himself to them and He will. He wants all to know Him. They don't have to look any further!

Now dig a little deeper:

H - How do these scriptures help us to better understand God?
These scriptures help us to understand the love that God has for us. He had a plan before He even created the universe.  

O - What are some other observations?
1. Only Christ can cleanse us of our sins by His great power and authority.
2. We can know Christ for ourselves.

P - What is the purpose of these recorded scriptures?
They identify Christ as the only truth and the only way to the Father because the world has many religions and beliefs.

E - What encouragement can we take from this?
1. There is security in Christ.
2. Provision has already been made; we just need to surrender our lives to Him.

Be Blessed,

hope-in-christ


 

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

A few months ago I was preparing for Bible study. I was reading a chapter of Henry Blackaby's book "Called and Accountable." As I was reading the chapter, something stood out to me. He was explaining how God loves us and has called us. I couldn't receive that at first. ​You see I was reading that book with a broken heart. I had not really seen His love and I couldn't understand why He would call me when I had been rejected by others!

A few days later I went to Bible study. My pastor begin to explain further that God has called all of us. With tears in my eyes, I said, "I can't understand why He would want me when I was rejected." My pastor went on to encourage me and others in knowing that all that matters is what God says about you.

​Have you ever had this feeling? I encourage you to press in to the designer of your very being. He has many promises in His word that helps us to understand that we are not anybody's mistake. We are called by His name and His love is everlasting. We are not alone, but loved by a great an awesome creator! Here are a few of those scriptures and a song by Kari Jobe to encourage you today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzLRyZMKbb0

Jer. 31:3 - The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

Jer. 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Zeph. 3:17 - The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Psalm 103:1-5 - 1. Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3. Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4. Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

​#Hopeinchrist

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

For all the gods of the people are idols (worthlessness, good for nothing, have no value), But the LORD (self-existent, eternal, Jehovah) made the heavens. Glory and honor (splendor, majesty) are in His presence; Strength (might, power) and gladness are in His place. Give to the LORD, O families of the people, Give to the LORD the glory (honor, reverence) and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name (renowned reputation); Bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (set-apartness). (1 Chron. 16:26-29 KJV)

​Some time ago I read the scripture above and it stood out to me. These are very powerful verses. They help us to understand that God is God and outside of Him there is no other God! In biblical times, people worshipped different idols that were man made. Today there is still  idol worship. They are just not in the form statues. We have to be very mindful of this because God is the only one worthy of our worship. Today consider what is hindering or has turned away your worship from our heavenly Father. Ask God to reveal those things to You and then repent, put them away from You and worship the Lord and honor Him with your life! He is worthy of all of our worship!  He is God alone!  #hopeinchrist 

Worship Song: Your Are God Alone/William McDowell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHgTlbXuAgI


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.